Description
This Strawberry Sour Cream Bread is a moist and tender sweet bread loaded with fresh strawberries and a touch of cinnamon. It is enriched with sour cream for added richness and topped with a tangy lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, this loaf combines fruity sweetness with soft crumb and a delightful balance of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup strawberries, finely chopped or coarsely mashed
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to allow it to fully heat by the time your batter is ready.
- Prepare the Pan: Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly using butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which typically takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition to ensure full integration and a smooth batter.
- Mix in Sour Cream and Vanilla: Stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract (if using) until the mixture is uniform and creamy, enriching the batter with moisture and flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and optional ground cinnamon to evenly disperse the leavening agents and spice.
- Add Dry Ingredients to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently and mixing only until just combined to maintain a tender crumb texture.
- Fold in Strawberries: Carefully fold in the sliced and chopped strawberries to avoid breaking them up too much and to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to promote even baking and a uniform shape.
- Bake the Bread: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool the Bread: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set, then carefully remove it and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Add Glaze: Mix the powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth to make a tangy glaze, then drizzle it over the cooled bread to finish and add extra flavor.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are fresh and properly dried to avoid adding excess moisture which can make the bread soggy.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added; overmixing can result in a dense bread.
- The glaze can be adjusted by adding more lemon juice for a thinner drizzle or more powdered sugar for a thicker consistency.
- You can substitute the unsalted butter with melted coconut oil for a dairy-free variation.
- Store the bread wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: strawberry bread, sour cream bread, sweet bread, baked strawberry loaf, lemon glaze bread
